I'm a sucker for metallic coloring--here's one where it fits the image just right.

Ultrafractal, single layer

That's amazing! It should be in a sculptural art museum, on a tall, thin, minimalist support of some kind....maybe in a room by itself with no lighting except for one spotlight....

WOW..I was thinking a company logo/symbol.

:)
Yup, it does look like it's in a spotlight! That's one of the things I like about my metallic-type colorings--if done right, it looks soooooo real!

It looks like a closeup of the tip of a feather.

That's really amazing!

I actually did a whole series based on this sphere thingy with the cable look...I'll have to post some of those for comparison.
I suppose I could rustle up a parameter file or two for Utrafractal users--(give me a day or two--got a few other chores here at home). Once I have it ready, I'll put a link to my site's storage page.

Here are some of the variations I did using this formula. Most of them are caused by changing the Ultrfractal coloring algorithms..as I reviewed my archived files, I found over 20 different saved versions, and I'm sure I could have gotten more if I kept at it longer. :) I approach fractals like some people play computer games, trying each and every trick, until something interesting happens. As long as it stays a 'game', fractals will always interest me.

Yes, please post the UPR(s).
It would be nice to see how you made the images.

Attached Link: http://www.rosemaryr.com/ZIP/Variations.zip

Okay, I was good and whipped up a zip file containing 25 variations based on this fractal. Included is a Ultrafractal parameter file (.upr) with the variations (with all necessary formulas), and a gradient file (.ugr) for the metallic gold and silver colors. Let me know if you have problems with the files: if anything is missing or they don't load properly. Warning: some *are* a little more boring than others, but it shows how I go in, and tweak every setting available until I get a 'keeper' picture. Make sure you look at each setting, both under the 'fractal' tab and under the 'Outside coloring' tab---small changes can make a big difference.